Customers' comfort priority for family-owned company

WOOD RIVER - For 63 years, B&W Heating and Cooling has kept itself afloat despite the nation's occasional economic setbacks.

Mark Eberhart is the second-generation owner at the helm, steering the ship in the proper direction "at least for the next 20 years," he said, expressing hope for a bright future.

Originally founded in 1949 by Eberhart's father, this family-owned business has been through it all.

Because it is approaching air-conditioning season, B&W is fully booked, constantly fixing units all over the area as well as putting in new ones. B&W takes pride in its work and reliability; customers often compliment them on their service.

"We make sure nobody has to wait and we try to be as reliable as possible," Eberhart said.

Despite the spring and summer seasons being the busiest time, B&W guarantees dependability.

Even though the business has been in the Eberhart family for more than 60 years, there are no other family members working in the store. This seems odd because usually when a company has been in a family for such a long time, relatives man every post.

"There are no family members because my mother and father told me it isn't wise to involve your wife; it makes for a lot of time together: at home, on vacation, at work, etc.," Eberhart said. "A couple at church also said that it was a bad idea."

But Eberhart is a true family man who loves his wife enough to keep her clear of workplace drama. He also has two sons who he hopes don't take over his business one day; the life of a small business owner is demanding and he wants more for his boys.

Eberhart described the difficulty of his job: "This is practically a 24-hour job; with only seven employees, everyone has to pull their weight. Working nights and weekends is normal."

B&W is a well-rounded operation.

"Everyone does their part, from answering the phone to making sure the job gets done," Eberhart said. "We are the most consistent and best heating and cooling business in the area."